Morphological and Anatomical Studies of Fruit Development Related to the Incidence of Yellow Latex in Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L)

Abstract

Yellow latex is the main problem in mangos teen agribusiness because it is a factor that lowers fruit quality. Yellow latex spots found on the outer part of the fruit and aril were exuded because of damage of the yellow latex secretory ducts in the pericarp. It has not been possible to prove the cause of yellow latex secretory duct damage as it was assumed to be related to the mechanical pressure during fruit development. The objectives of this research were to study the growth and development pattern of mangosteen fruit based on the orphological and anatomical properties on a Leuwiliang mangosteen population related to the incidence of yellow latex in the aril). Mangosteen fruit growth curve based on transversal and longitudinal diameters was hyperbolic curve. The fruits grew rapidly in the first six weeks along with the fruit anatomical development on the number and the size of the exo-, meso- and endocarp layers parameters. At the tenth week rate of fruit parameter growth decreased, followed by the slowing down of the aril growth yet the rapid growth of the seed so that there was mechanical pressure due to the growth from the inner part to the outer part of the fruit, and it was assumed to cause damages of the yellow latex secretory ducts in the percarp.